Zoe James' grandfather: the Autograph King and his postage pranks

Zoe James is the granddaughter of the man who tested the British postal system to its limits.

Image: Zoe James (ABC Local)

Broadcast date: Tuesday 19 March 2013

Zoe James inherited the collection of her grandfather, W. Reginald Bray.

Reggie Bray was a remarkable man, a good-natured prankster who liked to post things in the mail.

From posting quite weird and wonderful things (eg a bowler hat, a rabbit skull, seaweed, a turnip - and even himself!) he moved on to collecting autographs.

Reggie became known as 'The Autograph King' as he amassed the largest collection in the world.

Zoe, who moved to Australia in the 50s, discovered that John Tingey in England was an avid collector of her grandfather's memorabilia, and was able to help him with material for the book The Man Who Posted Himself and Other Curious Objects, published by Princeton Architectural Press.

Originally broadcast Monday 7 March 2011.

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